by M. R. Polish
“Because you see the fate of others.” We all spun around to see Holly, Tiffany, and Breen materialize before us.
“Fate is something that is bound to happen. They’re dead,” Ailaina said spreading her arms out to the small group.
A flicker of understanding sparked inside of me. If Ailaina could picture a future I could channel magic toward it and make it happen. I didn’t have to see it, Ailaina was the key.
Grabbing Jarak’s hand as quick as I could, I closed my eyes and focused on Ailaina, channeling whatever energy called to me as I connected to her.
It was like the first time I helped Meadow. Invisible cords connected us all in a spider web pattern. I just needed to find the right paths. I was alive, Jarak was dead, but Ailaina could be in both worlds. She could see in both worlds. She was the magnet drawing us together.
Jarak’s hands grew warmer in mine. But it wasn’t enough. I could still feel Ailaina’s channel begging for more magic.
A surge rushed from me to Jarak. He sucked in a sharp breath.
My eyes flung open to make sure he was okay. The complexion of his skin started to deepen and return to a normal flesh coloring. “Jarak,” I whispered.
Taking his hand from mine, he turned them over staring at them. “I can’t believe it. I feel… I really feel. Did you… I mean… I don’t know what you did. Do you think?” None of his words were coherent as he examined his hands.
“I don’t know.” I couldn’t stop staring at him.
“Es, he’s alive,” Ian said, his jaw slack as he stared at his brother.
Lauren clasped her hands over her mouth and giggled. “I can’t believe it.”
Katrina grabbed my hands. “I knew you could. Now do me.”
I glanced at Ailaina who shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can.” I didn’t want her wrath to fall on Ailaina so I kept my mouth shut as to how I thought this whole thing was working.
“You have to! I did everything my brother wanted. I turned into a Crossbreed, and he promised you would help me. I’ve endured so much to be here.” Her eyes pleaded with me more than her words.
And it killed me.
Lauren stepped closer, placing her hand on Katrina’s arm. “Let her try me first. Maybe she doesn’t think she can do it again?”
“No. It’s my turn.” Katrina held her ground.
Tiffany touched Katrina’s face. “My dear child. You have suffered much, but it wasn’t in your future to live. Some people are needed more in death. You have a fate fitting a queen.”
Katrina wiped at her face. “I don’t want to stay here.”
“And you won’t,” Breen said. “Your destiny might not be to live, but it’s not intended for here, either. You were brought here by your brother, and while he meant well, the place where you were before is your true fate.”
Katrina nodded. “Alright. So this is it. There is no other hope for me is there?”
Holly smiled. “This is how it’s seen.” She looked at Ailaina. “Unless another fate is chosen.”
Ailaina blinked back a few tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how.” Her words were quiet enough that I’m sure only the Fates and I heard them.
Tiffany twirled her wrist until a silvery mist swirled around Katrina. “We wish you well.”
The vapors consumed Katrina, sending her away.
Her cries of sadness filled me as she left. A quiet echo of sobs vanished with the fog.
My chest felt hollow as I watched her disappear. I wanted to help her, but it wasn’t my magic.
Lauren looked at the Fates with hopeful eyes. “And me? What is my fate?”
Tiffany smiled. “We wouldn’t have brought you and Jarak here had we not seen a wonderful future together. He’s a little grouchy at times, but with enough real and true love anything can be overcome.”
Ian wrapped an arm around my middle and pulled me close to his side, kissing the top of my head. I believe that.
I smiled. His words inside my heart grew my love.
Breen gestured to me. “Ready?”
Stepping away from Ian, I took Lauren’s hands and repeated the process that I did with Jarak. A lot more energy left me, draining me. “I don’t know if I can,” I whispered through grit teeth.
Mentally my mind was barely hanging on to the connection, and I worried that I’d let go and lose her forever. But my body was worse, and it wasn’t long before every limb was limp. My legs hardly held me up, and my arms hung in noodle fashion.
Lauren’s hands warmed and I let go, hoping it was enough because I had nothing left to give.
Ian caught me before I fell to the ground, and helped me to sit. “You okay?”
I nodded, too weak to do much else. “Yeah. I think so. Did it work?”
I’d missed the excited jumps and squeals of glee as Lauren returned to the living. She leapt into Jarak’s arms.
Ian chuckled. “Yeah it worked.”
Luke stood watching everyone with his arms folded across his chest.
Davin eyed him cautiously.
“So she can do it. But she couldn’t do Katrina. I wonder why?” Luke stared at Ailaina. Playing with her. Telling her he knew without words.
“Luke,” Tiffany started. “You’re a Watcher. Your fate is different. You made a deal sealing it. I’m sorry, but she can’t help you.”
Luke roared and his body shifted, turning into a dark creature. “I’ve done everything to help her get here. I changed my future, she can change me.”
Breen smiled at her sister. “We should tell him.”
Tell him what? My nerves jittered as I waited.
Tiffany smiled politely at Luke. “You know that once a deal is made it’s sealed. Never to be unbroken. But, there is one who can change the future, change your fate. A deal is not the end.”
Luke tipped his head back and screamed an inhuman cry before taking off.
Ian’s hand slipped in mine. “As much as I love it here, I think we should go home before your fate changes.” He looked at his brother. “Or his.”
I nodded. “I’ve never been more ready.”
My dad kept his distance, but didn’t look away once my eyes caught his stare. “I’m proud of you. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done.”
Letting go of Ian, I ran to his arms. He was harder, colder, but it was still him. He might have been the cause of all our pain, but he sacrificed a lot to change the future and make it right. “Thanks.”
The Fates waited with each of their hands folded in front. “Esmerelda, just remember nothing is set in stone.”
I laughed. That was something I learned quickly.
Epilogue
Esmerelda
D ays since returning from my ordeal with Julie’s deal and Raya, and I still held my breath. My life could easily be turned upside down, but having my dad as the King of the Underworld gave me some relief. Between him and Davin I was sure that no more deals would be made for my soul—my life or afterlife either.
But the Fate’s last words froze my heart. Nothing was set in stone. So many things ran through my head wondering what it could mean. I didn’t think my adventurous days were behind me. In fact, if I read too much into what they said, I’d say they were just starting.
Luke was still searching for his way. And then there was Julie. My dad hadn’t found where Raya took her. Nor had he found Raya since she disappeared. But my life was mine and no one could take it from me.
“You’re beautiful,” Ian said, ambling into the room. His swagger slow and each step I swore he calculated to make me squirm in my seat waiting for his touch.
Turning from the full length mirror in the loft of Jarak’s cabin, I faced him. “And you’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”
But I didn’t care. Not really.
Coming back to the Sawtooth’s and Jarak’s home was comforting to all of us. It was the perfect place to start our lives together since it’s where we met.
As
I watched Ian from across the room I remembered our first meeting, how he pressed me up against the wall as Crossbreeds trespassed, how he handed me a stake and fought next to me. It felt like forever ago now.
I thought he was a cocky jerk. But now I knew better. I knew the story behind the pain. And now I was lucky enough to become his wife.
The back of his hand caressed my cheek. “I love you, Princess.”
Butterflies in my stomach fluttered. “I love you, too.”
His lips pressed against mine, melting my soul into a puddle of goo. No magic on earth was stronger than our love. And I knew he’d go to the ends of the living world and the dead to find me.
His hands were everywhere, warming my body with his touch. I couldn’t get enough of him. The taste of his tongue made me crave the rest of him.
Ailaina’s squeal doused the flames we ignited. “You’re not supposed to be up here. You get down there and pretend you never saw her.”
She shooed Ian out of the loft and gave me a fake frown, her hand planted on her hip. “You know better. It’s bad luck for a groom to see his bride.”
Raising a brow, I challenged her. “Well, then oh great Seer. Did my future change? Should I be worried?”
She stopped and dramatically pondered. “Yes. Yes it did and you should be very worried.”
I froze, unable to move, not even to breathe.
Ailaina laughed. “If I had to live that long with that man I’d be terrified.”
I playfully swatted at her arm. “You’re horrible. You scared me.”
“Are you ready?” She held her arm out. “Because I think Ian is the most impatient groom ever.”
I stopped at the top of the landing. “Al, I never thanked you. You’re my best friend and I couldn’t imagine life without you.”
She smiled. “You’re in luck because I don’t see a future without you. We’ll call it a wedding gift.”
Descending the stairs, the only thing left between me and my new future was the front door.
Holding on to Ailaina’s arm, I held my breath. Life was not set in stone, but with Ian by my side I was sure we’d make it through whatever storm came our way.
Crisp fall air greeted my flushed skin as I stepped off the porch. Jarak stood next to his brother where he should have been all along, and gave Ian a teasing elbow to his side when he saw me, but Ian didn’t flinch. His eyes were set on me and only me.
Ian walked down from the preacher to me, and took my hand leading me up the isle with him. Even with only a handful of witnesses, it was incredibly romantic.
The words that came from the preacher’s mouth swirled around me as I listened but never heard any of them until it was my turn to say, “I do.”
Ian slipped my wedding ring on my finger. It was silver with green opal in between the rows of diamonds, and one princess cut diamond that stood proudly in the middle. It was perfect.
Ian’s mouth crashed down on mine as he claimed me as his wife.
Tiffany
Watching from the mountainside as Ailaina walked her friend down the aisle was heartwarming. I only wished I could warn her of the danger of being so close to a witch. Once word got out how powerful a Seer was, someone’s fate would change.
The End
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About the Author
M.R. Polish was born in Idaho, a long, long, long, well, maybe not that long time ago.... Writing has always been there for her. Growing up, her mind was filled with stories, some she shared and others she filed away to write down later in life. It wasn't until 2011 that she decided to publish her stories for everyone to enjoy. Now you can find her enjoying life with her family - wrangling her four kids, setting traps in the house with toys for unsuspecting victims (aka, her husband) and writing down all her crazy and fun stories.
"Life is too short to stand by and watch everyone else live your dreams. The bigger the dream, the bigger the adventure!" ~ M.R. Polish
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